Poland, Ukraine and a few words about Pride
So, today the news that this year’s Pride in Warsaw, Poland, will double as Kyiv Pride due to the fact that it can’t be hosted in Ukraine because of the war. As a person who’s been attending the Pride march in Warsaw for the last 5+ years, I was overjoyed to hear that it’s just became even more inclusive, supportive and overall wholesome in every way.
That is... until I read the comments. Specifically, the comments from foreigners. Non-Poles and non-Ukrainians. People who never stepped foot into any of these countries and who, instead of celebrating this symbolic gesture of unity, friendship and love, felt the need to make comments such as ‘this is gonna be a disaster’ and ‘isn’t Poland like, super homophobic?’.
And let me tell you... Yes. BUT, this is because of people who make comments like that it’ll remain being seen as a homophobic country. These are the comments that people who are too privileged to remember why we need Pride in the first place made. And people who demand the change without moving a finger towards achieving it and instead only have judgement and contempt to offer.
So, let me educate you a little bit. The first Pride march in Warsaw took place in 2001 and since then the only year when it didn’t take place was in 2020 due to the pandemic. Even in 2010 when Equality Parade did not happen, a substitute event was organized. Polish Pride has been consistently getting bigger with each passing year. Last year, exactly 19 such events took place and there are many planned for 2022 already.
Yes, being LGBT+ in Poland is tough. I know it because I am queer myself and most of my friends are queer as well. But if your immediate reaction to seeing our community try and do better, be inclusive, be heard and stand proudly is to act dismissively and like there is no hope for us ...then it’s like a self-fulfilling wish.
And, quite frankly, if this is your approach, then you’re the asshole who spits on all the hard work that people here are doing every day to make things better.
So... idk, maybe don’t be a fucking asshole? And remember that freedom and privilege is hardly ever given. Maybe instead of calling all of Poland homophobes and condemning us to never-ending homophobia and hatred, actually check how you can support Polish LGBTQ people. Especially now when we have to make room for our Ukrainian friends and make them feel as safe and welcome as possible.
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Warsaw, Poland: Equality Parade 2009: Parada Równości 2009 (1,2) by Kuba Bożanowski on Flickr
AP, 2021:
WARSAW, Poland (AP) — The largest gay pride parade in central Europe took place again in Warsaw on Saturday for the first time in two years after a pandemic-induced break — and amid a backlash in Poland and Hungary against LGBT rights.
The year’s Equality Parade came 20 years since the event was first held in the Polish capital. It was banned twice in its early years by a conservative mayor who feared it would promote homosexuality and last year it was canceled due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Warsaw Mayor Rafal Trzaskowski walked at the head of the parade in a sign of support for LGBT rights, joining thousands who were cheered on by others waving rainbow flags from apartment balconies and sidewalk cafes.
But that level of acceptance is not universal in Poland, a heavily Catholic, largely conservative nation.
The joyful and colorful celebration was tinged with fear of what the future holds for the rights of gay men, lesbians, bisexuals and transgender people after setbacks first in Russia and now in Hungary.
“The day of the parade is always a bittersweet moment for our community,” said Rafal Wojtczak, a spokesman for the organizers. He described feelings of sadness and helplessness that LGBT people have not achieved rights liked same-sex partnership or marriage in Poland, while also facing new threats.
...
“We’ve been through a very, very rough time. But at the same time, we are going out in the streets and we are saying we are stronger and we are not going to give up,” said Miroslawa Makuchowska, vice director of Campaign Against Homophobia.
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DC is just so silly! This:
Batman #423 (1988)
Came exactly one issue before this:
Batman #424 (1988)
But we get this little reminder at the end of 423, of what the core of Batman really is and what we should ultimately keep in mind:
Meanwhile the latter was left to be framed in this light:
Batman #425 (1988)
Ah yes. The established empath calling a SA victim foolish.
If we take what Jason says at face value then what he did to Garzonas the rapist isn’t much different from what Batman did to that addict/thief (and what he does to countless other opponents he doesn’t deem deserving of salvation). The difference is Jason didn’t have a police officer pat him on the back and vouch for the goodness of his character for wanting to protect women and children.
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ICYMI: Armor For Sleep is going on the Emo’s Not Dead cruise in February 2024 leaving from Miami🛳️🌊 Join the presale now at emosnotdeadcruise.com
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Signed up to volunteer at our local Pride with the HRC! Thought about DC too but the earlier shift was full and I don’t know the city well enough to want to navigate alone at night, but next year maybe
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mhmmmmmmmmm <3
*insert Bible voice*
‘Tell me smthn, I don’t know’
Could you imagine if he said some sh*t like,
“Find Momoi Tarou. He knows the way. 😔✊”
LMAOOOO
HAHAHAHAHAAHHAAHA
EVEN BETTTER
(I fking LOVE Jin. He truly doesn’t ever give JACK and its the best damn thing in the WORLD. )
My guy rlly said: ‘eaT SH*T and gET OUT’ LOL
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I just don’t understand why Düsseldorf won’t expand the Japan Day to be on two days (saturday and sunday). That way it wouldn’t be so crowded. And people would actually be able to see the performances and engage in stuff.
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